Match holder and dispenser.



J. ERICSON.

MATCH HOLDER AND DISPENSER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 27| 1911.

APatented Aug. 6, 1918.

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J. ERICSON.

MATCH HGLDER AND DISPENSER.

APPucAT-lon FILED Dec. 21; w17'.

1,275,010. l Patented Aug. 6,1918.

I @l A JOHN ERICSON, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

MATCH HOLDER AND DISPENSER.

Svpecication of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

Application filed December 27, 1917. Serial No. 209,044.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN ERlosoN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough and countyof Bronx, in the Stateof New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Match Holders and Dispensers, of which the following is a specification;l

The invention relates to receptacles having mechanism for delivering matches or other articles singly therefrom, and the ob]ect of the invention is to provide a match holder of this character which shall be simple in construction, easily operated, and positive in its action of ejecting the single match and presenting it in position for convenient removal. Y

The invention consists in certain novel v features of construction and arrangement of parts by which the above objects are attained, to be hereinafter described and claimed. i

The accompanying drawings lform a part of this specication and show the invention as it has been carried out in practice.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the? improved device.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation with a portion of the front plate broken away to show the parts beyond. l

Fig. 3 is va central vertical section taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2 and partly in elevation.

Fig. A is a plan view with the cover omitted. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 5 5 in Fig. 3, partly in elevation, and with certain portions omitted.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section corresponding to a portion of Fig. 3, showing parts of the ejector mechanism in detail. I

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

A is the casing or body of the holder, of sheet metal, rectangular in form and having a cover A2 hinged thereto at a on the fr ont A1 of the casing. The cover has a flange A3 yieldingly engaged by a spring latch A4;

The sides of the casing are extended laterally at the front'to provide oppositely located interior ways al in which is mounted a hollow flat rectangular slide B operable from the front by a thumb-piece B1 on a screw B2 attached to the upper portion of the front plate Ba of the slide and extending through a vertical slot a2 in the front A1 of the casing. The slide moves vertically and its motion is limited by the slot a2 and l it is held normally upward by springs C (l mounted in the ways al above the sides of the slide, and having'arms C1 C1 extending inwardly and engaging a pin B5 fixed centrally at the extreme upper end of the slide.

The back plate B4 of the slide covers only the lower portion and is arranged to permit matches to enter the channel in the interior of the slide and lie in the horizontal position one above the other in series when the slide is depressed by operating the thumbpiece B1. The matches M thus received are supported on the bottom B6 extending vin two separated portions across the interior of the slide and inclined rearwardly vtherein as in Figs. 3 and`6.

In the interior of the casing is, an inclined bottom or licor comprising a fixed portion or deck E extending downwardly from the back wall toward the slide, about half such distance, and is continued Athereto by a movable portion or platform D having a downwardly extending lip D1 at the front adapted to lie adjacent the rear face of the back plate BL of the slide. The deck E and platform D support the supply of matches in the receptacle in the horizontal positionv transversely of the casing and parallel with each other, and the upper part of the mass 'is held away from the slide by a transverse swinging retainer Fv hung on pins A5 on the inner faces of the sides of the casing, and extending downwardly nearly to the platform D; it is held away from the slide B by stop pinsv As and divides the lreceptacle into two compartmentsand limits the flow ofmatches from the main compartment to the vsmaller and thus to the slide.

The slide carries on its rear face two vertical spurs B7 ,B7 which project through openings cl di in the platform when the slide is elevated, and serve to agitate the mass ofl matches, to aid in arranging them parallel with each other in that portion of the supply immediately adjacent the slide, andpresenting such matches favorably for admisv sion to the channel on the descent of the slide.

B8 B8 are lugs on the back plate Bt arranged to strike the lip D1 of the platform and lift it by the upward movement of the slide. The angle1 of inclination of the deck E is that at which ma tches of the usual type will roll by gravitv toward the slide, and when the platform D is in its elevated position it forms in effect a continuation of the deck at approximately the same inclination, but when permitted to lower by the descent of the slide, the platform assumes a slightly greater downward inclination and also by its downward movement agitates the matches thereon7 thus facilitating their forward and downward movement to the open mouth of the channel formed by the interior of the slide. This movement of the platform is effected by mounting its forward part on pins extending inwardly from the sides of the casing through inclined slots Z1 (Z1 in the side wings or flanges D2 of the platform, and mounting the rear edge of the latter betweenthe forward edge of the deck E and lugs El beneath the deck. This loose connection permits the desired slight vertical movement of the lip D1 and the sliding movement of the rear edge due to the action of the pins A? in the slots (Z1. The angularity of the slots is such as to insure a true vertical movement` of the lip parallel but out of contact with the back plate B4, and neutralizes the advance of the lip due to swinging in a vertical are of which the rear edge of the platform is the center.

On depressing the slide to the full extent allowed by the slot a2, the forward margin of the platform lowers and the upper edge of the back plate Bt of the slide is presented adjacent the lip D1; in this position the matches roll down the platform and fill the channel in the interior of the slide from the bottom BG to the top of the back plate B4.' An angular ridge BJ on the slide above the back plate, aids in directing the matches to the channel and serves as a top to the latter, leaving only the side opening between the plate Bl and such ridge.

for the admission of matches.

On the return or upward movement of the slide due to the action of the springs C C, the rise of the upper edge of the back plate cuts off the supply of matches and again elevates the forward portion of the platform D.

The matches thus confined in a superposed series in the channel are ejected therefrom throu-gh a horizontal slit or opening i in the front plate B3 of the slide immediately above the bottom B3, which registers with a corresponding slot a3 in the front plate A1 of the casing when the slide is in the fully elevated position, and the match thus liberated falls by gravity upon the parallel hooked arms A3 A3 or other support, on the front of the casing, in position for convenient removal.

The ej ecting mechanism comprises a light spring G secured to the back plate B4 of the slide, extending centrally upward thereof and having av curved ejector-head G1 at the upper end from which depends a concave flange G2 at the front shaped to conform approximately to the side of a match. The spring and its head lie in a vertical slot or notch b1 in the lower portion of the back plate, and the set of the spring tends to retract the head and flange toward the rear, out of the channel, and when the slide is in the depressedv position the head is thus retracted. The spring G is slotted 0r bifurcated as shown, and is secured to the plate B4 by a clamp N and screw N1 by which it may be adjusted vertically to present its head and flange properly to the lewermost match and in proper relation to the opening Z), and the curve of the head is such as to receive the succeeding match thereon without requiringa vertical movement of the latter and the superposed series.

0n releasing the slide and permitting it to rise under the influence of the springs C C, the rearwardly projecting nose G3 of the head strikes a yielding cam-surface H1 and is forced forward; this movement engages the concave flange G2 with the rear side of the lowermost match of the series and moves it forward partially through the opening` b, against the rear face of the front plate A1 and thus retains it until a continuation of the upward movement brings the opening b into register with the slot a3, when it is forcibly ejected through such slot and falls upon the arms A8 A3. During this ejecting operation the succeeding matches in thel series are supported by the curved upper face of the head G1 above the opening Z) and the escape of the succeeding match is thus prevented. On the descent of the slide the opening Z) passes out of register with the slot A3, the head is freed from contact with the cam surface H1, the series descends by gravity upon they bottom B3, and the then lowermost match is in position to be similarly ejected by the neXt rise of the slide.

J is an apron adjacent the slot A3 and overlapping it upon the exterior of the casing to arrest the flight of the match in case of sudden release, and insure its correct deposition upon the arms A3.

The cam surface H1 is an upwardly curved arm of a spring H, of greater tension than the light spring G, and attached to the under face of the deck E at E2. lts elasticity supplies the desired strong but yielding resistance necessary to overcome the slight force of the spring G in ejecting the lowermost match from the slide,l and its tension is such as toy yield and hold the head G1 gently and prevent damage in the event of a misshapen or otherwise imperfect match refusing to be transferred from the slide.

K is a loose-plate or follower lying upon the mass of matches M in the receptacle, serving to hold the upper layers against disarrangement from sudden movements and aiding to maintain parallelism therein. As the supply is gradually reduced the front margin of the follower rests upon the upper pair of pins A9 while the rear continues to descend as the mass is depleted until a position is reached at which the front margin slides rearwardly from the pins and the follower falls upon the reduced mass, which on further depletion permits the frontv margin to rest upon the lower pair of pins A10, this arrangement eectually prevents the entrance of the front edge ofV the follower into the space between the lower edge of the swinging retainer F and upper face of the platform D where it would interfere with the flow ofv matches to the slide, or with the movement of the latter.

L is a drawer slidably mounted in the rear of the casinglbeneath the deck E and platform D; its function is to receiverefuse matches introduced through the slots ai4l in the sides of the casing and guided thereto by the narrow open chutes L1 L1,

The swinging retainer F is so mounted as to allow a slight vertical movement without disengagement from its pins A5. This permits it to rise if necessary, due to an accumulation of matches beneath its lower edge, on the rise of the platform D, and avoids danger of jamming from this cause.

Although the invention is shown anddescribed as constructed for holding and dispensing matches, it will be understood that it will serve in dispensing other articles to which it maybe adapted, and modifications may be made in the forms and proportions, and parts of the invention,l may lbe yused without thev whole, in making such adaptations.`

The movable platform D may4 form 'the whole bottom of the receptacle, and in holders of small dimensions such arrangement is preferable.

I claim l l. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, a retainer dividing said receptacle into two communicating compartments, said retainer mounted to swing on horizontally disposed supports and ar- Y ranged to move vertically on such supports,

a movable slide adapted to receive such articles from and arranged to operate partly within one of said compartments, and having a channel through which such articles are delivered and stops in said receptacle for limiting the swing of said retainer toward said slide.

2. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, a slide movable in said casing and having a channel adapted to receive such articles from said receptacle and carry them in a single -seriesside by side, said slide having an opening in Vits side for the reception of such articles, and a closure for the upper end of said channel, serving to induce the presentation of such articles to said channel in a horizontal position.

8. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, an inclined bottom in said receptacle, a vertically movable slide adapted to receive such articles from said receptacle and carry them in a single series side by side, agitating spurs on said slide arranged to operate through openings `in said bottom and agitatefsuch articles insaid receptacle by the movements of said slide.

4. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, an inclined bottom for said receptacle comprising a fixed upper portion,and a: movable lower portionarranged' to oscillate and to form a continuation of said upper portion, a movable slide mounted in said casing and arranged to receive such articles from said receptacle, agitating spurs on said slide arranged to agitate such articles in said receptacle, and means on said slide for'oscillating said movable bottom portion during the agitating action of said spurs. v

5. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, an inclined bottom for said receptacle comprising a fixed upper portion, and a movable lower portion arranged to oscillate and to form a continuation of said upper portion, means for in series from such receptacle, and means1 actuated by the movements `ofsaid slideI for automatically ejecting the lowermost of such series. v f

7, A casing, a receptacle therein for articlesto be dispensed, a slide movable'in` said casing and having a channel arranged to receive such articles one upon another therein from said receptacle, and a spring actuated ejector mounted on said slide and arranged to eject one of' such articles laterally from said slide.

8. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, a slide movable in said casing and having a channel arranged to receive such articles one upon another in series, an ejector arranged to eject the lowermost of such series, and a yielding member adapted to actuate said ejector.

9. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, a slide movable in said casing and adapted to receive such articles one upon another in series, an ejector mounted on the lower portion of said slide and arranged to eject one oit' suoli series, and a yielding member arranged to coact with said ejector, the latter and said member actuated bv the movements of said slide.

10. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, a delivery slot in said casing, ways in the latter, a slide movable in said ways and having a channel arranged to receive suoli articles one upon another in series, a delivery opening from said channel located to register with suoli slot at one position of said slide, and means movable transversely ot said channel for ejecting one oi' suoli series through suoli opening and slot.

11. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, ways in said casing, a slide movable insaid ways and having a channel arranged to receive such articles one upon another in series from said receptacle, a support for such series, and mea-ns for ej ecting one of such series laterally from said slide and for supporting the next super posed article in such series.

12. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, a slide movably mounted in said casing and arranged to receive suoli articles one upon another in series, and an ejector arranged to eject the lowermost of said series from said slide and to support the succeeding article of such series.

13. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, a slide movably mounted in saidA casing and arranged to receive such articles one upon another in series from said receptacle, an ejector-spring mounted on said slide, an ejector-head on said spring arranged to engage and eject the lowermost of such series and held normally out of such engagement by said spring, and a yielding cam located in the path of said head and arranged to actuate the latter by the movements of said slide.

14;. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed7 a slide movable in said casing and arranged to receive suoli articles from said receptacle, an ejector on said slide adapted to eject such articles from said slide, and means for adjusting the position of said ejector relatively to said slide.

15. A casing, a receptacle therein tor articles to be dispensed, a slide movable in said casing and arranged to receive such articles one upon another in series from 'said re-v ceptacle, a clamp on said slide, and an ejector adjustably mounted in said clamp and adapted to eject suoli articles successively from said slide. I

16. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, a channel arranged to receive such articles one upon another in series, and a spring-actuated ejector adapted yieldingly to engage and eject one of such series laterally thereof.

17. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, a slide mounted to move vertically in said casing and adapted to receive such articles one above another in series from said receptacle, a delivery opening iii said slide located to register with a delivery slot in said casing at one position of said slide, an ejector actuated by the movements of said slide and arranged-to eject an article ot such series through such opening and slot, a support on said casing for the reception of such ejected article, and an apron on said casing adapted to direct such ejected article to said support.

18. A casing, a receptacle therein for articles to be dispensed, an inclined bottom for said receptacle comprising a fixed upper portion and a movable lower portion, means on said upper portion for loosely supporting the rear of said lower portion, side anges on said lower portion having rearwardly and upwardly inclinedslots, pins on said casing received in such slots, a slide adapted to receive such articles vfrom said receptacle and deliver them on the exterior of said casing, said slide arranged to coact` with said movable portion to raise and lower thelatter, and said pins and slots arranged to limit 'suoli movements and to cause the front edge ot said movable portion to move.

JOHN ERIGSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, n. t3. 

